Click here to get Todays Auction Report



Cardamom (small)
Cardamom (small)








Cardamom of commerce is the dried ripe fruit (capsules of cardamom plant) often referred as the “Queen of Spices” because of its very pleasant aroma and taste. Cardamom is a perennial, herbaceous, rhizomatous plant. Based on the nature of panicles, three varieties are recognized viz. Malabar with prostrate panicle, Mysore with erect panicle, and Vazhukka with semi erect panicle. Plants are of medium size (2 to 3 mtr height) with pubescent leaves (on the dorsal side) and fruits globose in the case of Malabar, whereas plant robust (3 to 4 mtr height) with leaves glabrous on both sides with ovoid capsules in the case of Mysore. Vazhukka variety is a mix of both the above in physical characteristics. 

Indian cardamom is offered to the international markets in different grades: 'Alleppey Green Extra Bold' (AGEB), 'Alleppey Green Bold' (AGB) and 'Alleppey Green Superior' (AGS) are names that register instant appeal worldwide. Cardamom oil is a precious ingredient in food preparations, perfumery, health foods medicines and beverages. India, a traditional exporter of cardamom to the Middle East countries where it goes mostly into the preparation of 'Gahwa' - a strong cardamom - coffee concoction without which no day is complete or no hospitality hearty for an Arab. Indian cardamom enjoys a premium preference in the Middle East, Japanese and Russians who relish it for its distinct enriching properties.



Origin and Distribution








Cultivation of cardamom is mostly concentrated in the ever green forests of Western Ghats in South India. Besides India, cardamom is grown as a commercial crop in Guatemala and on small scale in Tanzania, Sri Lanka, El Salvador, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, Honduras, and Papua & New Guinea. The optimum altitudinal range on growing cardamom is 600 to 1500 mtr above MsL. The cardamom growing regions of South India lies within 8 - 30 degree N latitudes and 75-78 degree longitudes. 


Uses








The major use is for the preparation of ‘gahwa’ – a strong cardamom coffee concoction which is a symbol for hospitality among Arabs. Apart from this cardamom is widely used as a flavouring material in whole and ground form. In Asia, it can add a lingering sparkle to every kind of dishes both traditional and modern. In Scandinavian countries it is used in baked goods and confectionaries. In Europe and North America it is an ingredient in curry powder and in some sausages products.

Cardamom Plant






















SPICE WISE AREA & PRODUCTION
.
(Area in Hec, Production in Tonnes)
2002 - 03
2003 - 04
2004 - 05
2005 - 06
2006 - 07
2007 - 08
Area
Prodn.
Area
Prodn.
Area
Prodn.
Area
Prodn.
Area
Prodn.
Area
Prodn.
Pepper
223940
70000
235430
65000
267112
62000
257244
50000
236177
50000
196297
50000
Cardamom(Small)
73125
11920
73237
11580
73725
11415
73795
12540
73228
11235
69280
9470
Cardamom(Large)
30008
5300
30039
6154
30039
5773
30039
5185
30039
4303
30039
4920
Chilli
827950
906994
824400
1289340
843280
1376580
742200
1023128
809437
1325273
836684
1371250
Ginger
103220
422820
107780
545280
114730
647160
125847
810934
129014
721539
120056
710476
Turmeric
149710
526289
153430
587130
164110
751869
173139
867074
183917
856464
175947
826030
Corriander
302450
188950
508990
405390
396310
296050
357040
257068
361767
287647
458473
286377
Cumin
521250
134753
430840
202980
367678
176068
403033
199854
409033
176511
477936
264860
Fennel
22898
27602
43036
51752
39820
51026
40909
61307
61128
92260
84479
131652
Fennugreek
50596
64221
63535
79683
50400
62745
33393
38990
44984
55780
54965
67645
Garlic
114920
459080
164280
747780
163242
739879
162503
624794
169612
833157
219814
1088800
Vanilla
2545
92
3543
134
5370
236
5815
188
5129
233
4734
182
Clove
2076
1369
2397
1755
2231
1469
2144
1194
1941
742
1902
716
Nutmeg
8668
2208
9979
2593
9996
2723
11270
2914
13709
11564
14921
11217
Cinnamon
398
77
420
30
452
20
500
24
530
27
530
27
Tamarind
61958
178974
60629
183871
61624
194032
61084
192186
58624
190073
55682
188278
Dill seed
10926
6330
12788
8648
14595
10408
9351
5660
11083
9679
15912
18465
Ajwan
10375
1629
10816
10205
15381
9528
24300
8334
31657
15850
19590
11196
Saffron
2880
6.53
2742
5.15
3075
4.83
2989
8.85
2928
4.85
3000
5
Celery
2800
3000
2800
3000
1197
4577
1154
1492
1799
2350
3158
4239
Tejpat
6140
15961
6140
15961
6140
15961
6140
15961
6140
15961
6646
17277
GRAND TOTAL
2536033
3031132
2754452
4221828
2637708
4423081
2531089
4182393
2649075
4664210
2850045
5063082
GRAND TOTAL IN MLN TONNES
3.03
4.22
4.42
4.18
4.66
5.06






























No comments: